Still I Praise: Deliverance Songs in a Divided Nation
Notes
Transcript
Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said:
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
I’D LIKE TO BORROW FROM THE THOUGHT OF THE AUTHOR AND ESTEEMED POET, THE LATE MAYA ANGELOU AND USE THE SUBJECT…..
“STILL I PRAISE: DELIVERANCE SONGS IN A DIVIDED NATION.”
CHURCH FAMILY. THIS MORNING, I WANT TO SPEAK A WORD INTO THE ATMOSPHERE THAT I BELIEVE MEETS US RIGHT WHERE WE ARE.
IN A TIME WHEN THE NATION FEELS DIVIDED, WHEN WE’RE BOMBARDED WITH NEWS OF INJUSTICE, ECONOMIC INSTABILITY, RISING COSTS OF GROCERIES, THE THREAT OF MEDICAID BEING CUT, SOCIAL SECURITY BEING SLASHED AND OUR HISTORY BEING HIDDEN…..SOME OF US MAY ASK THE QUESTION……
WHAT DO WE DO AS BELIEVERS?
WHAT DO WE HOLD ONTO?
I BELIEVE THAT OUR RESPONSE MUST BE…. WE PRAISE.
AS BELIEVERS, WE DO NOT WAIT FOR DELIVERANCE TO PRAISE—OUR PRAISE MAKES SPACE FOR IT—
LET’S BE REAL: PRAISE IS NOT ALWAYS PRETTY.
SOMETIMES IT’S GROANING.
SOMETIMES IT’S TEARS RUNNING DOWN YOUR FACE WHILE YOUR HANDS ARE LIFTED.
SOMETIMES IT’S DANCING.
BUT EVERY TIME—IT’S POWERFUL.
WE TURN TO DAVID’S ANCIENT SONG TO RECLAIM PRAISE AS OUR PROTEST, OUR HEALING, AND OUR PROCLAMATION.
I’D LIKE TO SPEND SOME TIME LOOKING AT DAVID’S HEART TODAY.
WE’RE GOING TO WALK THROUGH DAVID’S WORDS….WHICH IS A SONG OF DELIVERANCE….. IN 2 SAMUEL 22—WORDS THAT RISE FROM EXPERIENCE, BATTLE, STRUGGLE, AND DIVINE VICTORY.
IN 2 SAMUEL 22, DAVID PROCLAIMS PRAISES TO GOD FOR HIS DELIVERANCE FROM ALL HIS ENEMIES.
HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS GOD WHO RESCUED HIM FROM THE HANDS OF HIS ENEMIES AND GAVE HIM VICTORY OVER THEM.
IN THESE VERSES, WE SEE DAVID, A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART, POURING OUT HIS SOUL IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING FOR THE DELIVERANCE HE HAS EXPERIENCED.
HE ACKNOWLEDGES GOD AS HIS ROCK, HIS FORTRESS, HIS DELIVERER. HE RECOGNIZES THAT HIS SALVATION COMES FROM THE LORD, AND HE PRAISES GOD FOR HIS VICTORY OVER HIS ENEMIES.
IN SPITE OF ALL THAT DAVID HAS BEEN THROUGH IN HIS LIFE, A SONG OF PRAISE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON HIS LIPS.
LIKE DAVID, WE TOO CAN LIVE A VICTORIOUS LIFE WHEN WE RELY ON GOD'S DELIVERANCE AND OFFER HIM OUR HEARTFELT PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING.
WE WILL UNPACK THESE VERSES AND DISCOVER THE MEANING IN DAVID'S WORDS AND SO WE CAN APPLY THEM TO OUR OWN LIVES.
WE'LL LOOK AT DELIVERANCE DEFINED, THE DYNAMICS OF PRAISE, AND THE DECLARATION OF VICTORY.
I BELIEVE THE TEXT THIS MORNING GIVES US A FEW POINTS WE CAN GLEAN FROM…..
I BELIEVE THAT WE SEE ……
DELIVERANCE DEFINED
DELIVERANCE DEFINED
1 Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE IDEA OF DELIVERANCE, WE OFTEN ASSOCIATE IT WITH BEING SAVED OR RESCUED FROM A DANGEROUS OR DIFFICULT SITUATION.
THIS IS INDEED A PART OF WHAT DELIVERANCE ENTAILS, BUT IT'S NOT THE WHOLE PICTURE.
IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR SCRIPTURE TODAY, WE SEE DAVID REFERRING TO GOD AS HIS DELIVERER.
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT PHYSICAL RESCUE, BUT ALSO SPIRITUAL DELIVERANCE.
DAVID WAS A MAN WHO FACED MANY CHALLENGES AND ENEMIES.
SAUL WAS OUT TO GET HIM…. FACED GIANTS, AND EVEN BATTLED HIS OWN PERSONAL SINS.
YET, IN ALL THESE SITUATIONS, HE FOUND DELIVERANCE IN GOD.
DELIVERANCE IS PERSONAL. DAVID DIDN’T WRITE A THEOLOGICAL PAPER—HE WROTE A SONG! BECAUSE DELIVERANCE SINGS. WHEN YOU’VE BEEN RESCUED, YOUR SOUL KNOWS IT.
GOD DELIVERS US NOT JUST FROM ENEMIES, BUT FROM HOPELESSNESS, DESPAIR, ADDICTION, DEPRESSION, AND FEAR.
THIS WASN'T JUST ABOUT ESCAPING PHYSICAL DANGER, BUT ALSO ABOUT FINDING FORGIVENESS, RESTORATION, AND PEACE IN GOD'S PRESENCE.
THIS IS THE FIRST ASPECT OF DELIVERANCE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ESCAPING DANGER, BUT ALSO ABOUT FINDING RESTORATION AND PEACE IN GOD.
WHEN WE FACE CHALLENGES, TRIALS, AND TEMPTATIONS, WE CAN FIND DELIVERANCE IN GOD, NOT JUST IN THE SENSE OF BEING RESCUED, BUT ALSO IN THE SENSE OF BEING RESTORED AND RENEWED.
YOU SEE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS…BROTHER DAVID HAD SOME REAL LIFE ENEMIES…THAT WERE OUT TO GET HIM….
THEY WERE SEEKING AND SEARCHING TO TAKE HIS LIFE….THEY WERE A THREAT TO HIS WELL-BEING….
SAUL WAS OUT TO GET HIM….AND WANTED DAVID DEAD……
MOST OF US… IF NOT ALL OF US IN HERE MAY NOT HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS OUT TO HURT US…. OR CAUSE BODILY HARM…
BUT I BELIEVE THAT …..SOME OF US IN HERE THIS MORNING MAY HAVE WHAT I CALL….IS A FRENEMY…
YOU KNOW…….THEY PRETEND TO BE YOUR FRIEND IN FRONT OF YOU…..BUT BEHIND YOUR BACK…THEY ARE SCHEMING….PLOTTING AND PLANNING OUT YOUR DEMISE….
I BELIEVE THE R&B GROUP…THE O’JAYS SAID IT THE BEST……IN THEIR SONG
THEY SMILE IN YOUR FACE……
ALL THE TIME …..THEY WANT TO TAKE YOUR PLACE….
THE BACK STABBERS……..(BACK STABBERS)
BABY BOOMERS AND GEN X CAN RELATE TO THAT
LET ME BRING IT INTO THE CURRENT CONTEXT….
SOMEONE SENDS YOU A FRIEND REQUEST ON FACEBOOK….
AND YOU FRIENDED THEM……..BECAUSE YOU MAY HAVE SOME MUTUAL FRIENDS…
…. AND EVERY TIME THEY POST AN ACHIEVEMENT….AN ACCOMPLISHMENT…..A BIRTHDAY…… YOU LIKE OR LOVE THEIR POST…..AND GIVE AN UPLIFTING COMMENT………
BUT WHENEVER YOU POST…..AN ACHIEVEMENT….ACCOMPLISHMENT….A BIRTHDAY….. NOTHING……. NO LIKE…NO LOVE….NO COMMENT…….
IF I CAN BE REAL WITH YOU EVERYBODY IN YOUR FB FRIEND LIST….MAY NOT BE YOUR FRIEND
ANYONE HAVE ANY FRENEMIES THIS MORINING…
YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A FRENEMY……
BUT TRUTH BE TOLD…. SAINTS…..IF YOU ARE A BELIEVER IN CHRIST…A CHILD OF GOD….LET ME TELL YOU IF YOU DIDN’T ALREADY KNOW…..
YOU DO HAVE AN ENEMY THAT IS OUT TO GET YOU….he WILL USE ANYONE he CAN TO TRY TO HURT YOU….CAUSE YOU TO DOUBT….TRY TO DECEIVE AND DERAIL YOU FROM SEEKING GOD
THE BIBLE REMINDS US IN JOHN 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT DELIVERANCE IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN ACHIEVE ON OUR OWN.
DAVID DIDN'T DELIVER HIMSELF FROM HIS ENEMIES OR FROM HIS SINS. HE RELIED ON GOD FOR DELIVERANCE.
A FINAL ASPECT OF DELIVERANCE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT IT LEADS TO PRAISE.
AFTER EXPERIENCING DELIVERANCE, DAVID DIDN'T JUST MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE.
HE TOOK THE TIME TO PRAISE GOD, TO THANK HIM, TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS GOODNESS AND MERCY.
MY BROTHER AND SISTERS….WHAT I LIKE ABOUT DAVID…IS THAT HE HAD NO PROBLEMS PRAISING GOD…… HE HAD NO PROBLEM TAKING A POSTURE OF PRAISE
HE KNEW HIS PRAISE WOULD PETITION THE LORD TO COME TO HIS RESCUE….
AND WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR US TO BATTLE OUR ENEMIES AND STRUGGLES WE HAVE TO TAKE THE SAME STEPS…
PRAISING GOD….IN THE MIDST OF YOUR STORM DOESN’T MEAN YOUR PROBLEMS DON’T EXIST OR THAT THE SITUATION YOU FIND YOURSELF FACING IS NOT REAL BECAUSE THEY ARE.
PRAISING MEANS YOU ARE CHOOSING TO BELIEVE MORE IN YOUR GOD AND HIS ABILITY THAN IN YOUR PROBLEMS AND YOUR INABILITY
WHEN WE PRAISE, WE ARE DECLARING THAT OUR GOD IS BIGGER, THAT HE IS FAITHFUL, AND HE IS MORE THAN ABLE TO DELIVER US.
IT IS PRAISE, HANDS LIFTED IN PRAISE, VOICES RAISED IN PRAISE……PRAISING HIM IN A DANCE…..HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PRAISE HIM…..
I DON’T KNOW WHO I’M TALKING TO THIS MORNING…BUT IF GOD HAS DELIVERED YOU
I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU TO PRAISE HIM
I NEED THREE TO FIVE PEOPLE…..THAT AREN’T AFRAID TO PRAISE THE LORD……
SO WE HAVE DELIVERANCE DEFINED………BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE IN OUR TEXT……….
DYNAMICS OF PRAISE……
DYNAMICS OF PRAISE……
2 And he said:
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.
DAVID DOESN’T DESCRIBE GOD WITH BLAND THEOLOGY—HE USES BATTLE WORDS.
“ROCK”—SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T MOVE.
“FORTRESS”—SOMEWHERE YOU CAN HIDE.
“DELIVERER”—SOMEBODY WHO COMES AND GETS YOU!
DAVID'S PRAISE WAS NOT A CASUAL OR OCCASIONAL ACT.
IT WAS A PART OF HIS LIFE…. A CONSTANT DECLARATION IN HIS EXPERIENCES.
HE PRAISED GOD IN TIMES OF VICTORY AND IN TIMES OF DEFEAT.
HE PRAISED GOD IN THE STILLNESS OF PEACE AND IN THE CHAOS OF WAR.
HE DECLARES, "THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER; MY GOD IS MY ROCK, IN WHOM I TAKE REFUGE, MY SHIELD AND THE HORN OF MY SALVATION."
THESE WORDS ARE NOT JUST A DECLARATION OF FAITH, BUT A SONG OF PRAISE.
THOSE ARE PRAISE-FILLED WORDS FROM THE HEART OF DAVID TO GOD.
THOSE WORDS ARE DAVID’S DEFAULT WORDS WHEN HE THINKS ABOUT GOD.
WHEN DAVID PAINTS A PICTURE OF GOD, THOSE ARE THE WORDS THAT COME TO MIND.
THE LANGUAGE DAVID USES HERE IS SIGNIFICANT.
THE TERMS "ROCK," "FORTRESS," AND "DELIVERER" ARE NOT CHOSEN RANDOMLY.
THEY ARE METAPHORS THAT CONVEY THE STRENGTH, STABILITY, AND SECURITY THAT DAVID FINDS IN GOD.
THEY ARE ALSO EXPRESSIONS OF PRAISE, ACKNOWLEDGING GOD'S ROLE AS HIS PROTECTOR AND SAVIOR.
THE WORD FOR "PRAISE" IN THIS TEXT IS "HALAL" IN HEBREW.
THIS WORD MEANS BOASTING, RAVING, OR CELEBRATING.
IT'S A WORD THAT IS OFTEN USED IN THE PSALMS, IN THE CONTEXT OF PRAISING GOD FOR HIS MIGHTY ACTS AND STEADFAST LOVE.
THIS IS WHERE WE GET THE WORD HALLELUJAH FROM THE BASE WORD HALAL.
IN PSALM 34:1, DAVID SAYS, "I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES; HIS PRAISE (HALAL) SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH."
BUT LET ME LET YOU IN ON A LITTLE SECRET FIRST BAPTIST…….
THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN PRAISE THE LORD
WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE HALAL….. WHERE WE GET THE WORD HALLELUJAH FROM….
AND THEN THERE IS YADAH
PS 63:5
SAYS “THUS WILL I BLESS THEE WHILE I LIVE: I WILL LIFT MY HANDS IN THY NAME”
YADAH IS A VERB WHICH MEANS THE EXTENDED HAND, TO THROW OUT THE HAND…
IT MEANS TO WORSHIP WITH EXTENDED HAND."
AND IF YOU’RE NOT TOO CUTE TO LIFT THEIR HANDS
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT THE LORD HAS DONE SOMETHING FOR…..YOU OUGHT TO EXTEND YOUR HANDS IN PRAISE.
YOU OUGHT TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD THAT GOD HAS BEEN GOOD TO YOU.
AND THEN THERE IS SHABACH.
SHABACH MEANS, "TOO SHOUT, TO ADDRESS IN A LOUD TONE, TO COMMAND, TO TRIUMPH."
AND I BELIEVE THAT WE OUGHT TO PRACTICE THAT THIS MORNING, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD SHABACH TO THE LORD THIS MORNING.
WELL HOW DO WE DO THAT REV NEAL?
WELL, IF YOU KNOW THAT HE’S BEEN GOOD TO YOU THEN LET’S PUT HALAL, LUJAH TOGETHER AND SHOUT HALLELUJAH.
IF YOU KNOW THAT HE IS A WAY MAKER SHOUT HALLELUJAH.
IF YOU KNOW THAT HE HAS TURNED THINGS AROUND ON YOUR BEHALF, SHABACH HIM BY SAYING HALLELUJAH.
BUT THEN THERE IS BARAK AND BARAK MEANS "TO KNEEL DOWN, TO BLESS GOD AS AN ACT OF ADORATION."
I DON’T KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE A SHABACH PRAISE, I DON’T KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE A YADAH PRAISE, OR A BARAK PRAISE…
BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE BIBLE SAYS LET EVERYTHING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD.
GOD CAN TURN YOUR PRESSURES INTO PRAISE
GOD CAN TO TURN YOUR DOUBTING INTO SHOUTING
GOD CAN TURN YOU FROM BEING DEPRESSED TO BEING BLESSED
GOD CAN TURN YOUR MISERY INTO MINISTRY
GOD CAN TURN YOUR TEST INTO A TESTIMONY
GOD CAN TURN YOUR TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH
GOD CAN TURN YOUR PAIN INTO GAIN.
GOD CAN TURN YOUR SETBACK TO A COMEBACK
GOD CAN TURN YOUR DESPAIR INTO CONSTANT PRAYER
GOD CAN TURN YOUR SADNESS INTO GLADNESS
GOD CAN TURN YOUR BREAKDOWN INTO BREAKTHROUGH
DAVID'S PRAISE IS NOT JUST A RESPONSE TO GOD'S DELIVERANCE, BUT A PROCLAMATION OF GOD'S CHARACTER.
HE DOESN'T JUST THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE, BUT PRAISES HIM FOR WHO HE IS.
HE DECLARES, "THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER."
THESE WORDS ARE NOT JUST A TESTIMONY OF GOD'S ACTIONS, BUT A DECLARATION OF HIS NATURE.
THEY REVEAL A GOD WHO IS STRONG, RELIABLE, AND FAITHFUL.
AND IT'S THIS REVELATION, THIS UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S CHARACTER, THAT INSPIRES DAVID'S PRAISE.
DECLARATION OF VICTORY
DECLARATION OF VICTORY
4 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
DAVID IS NOW TESTIFYING. THE MAN WHO ONCE HID IN CAVES IS STANDING ON STAGES.
WHEN DAVID DECLARED VICTORY, HE WAS ESSENTIALLY SAYING, "LOOK WHAT GOD HAS DONE!"
HE WAS GIVING TESTIMONY TO THE POWER OF GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT WAS GOD WHO HAD DELIVERED HIM FROM HIS ENEMIES.
THIS IS A POWERFUL REMINDER FOR US THAT OUR VICTORIES ARE NOT OUR OWN.
THEY ARE GOD'S VICTORIES.
EVERY TIME WE OVERCOME A TRIAL, EVERY TIME WE EXPERIENCE DELIVERANCE, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GIVE TESTIMONY TO GOD'S POWER.
A DECLARATION OF VICTORY IS THAT IT IS A CALL TO ACTION.
DAVID DIDN'T JUST DECLARE VICTORY AND THEN SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING.
HE DECLARED VICTORY AND THEN HE ACTED ON IT.
HE PRAISED GOD, HE WORSHIPPED, HE SANG SONGS OF DELIVERANCE.
THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION FOR US AS WELL.
OUR DECLARATION OF VICTORY SHOULD NOT BE A PASSIVE STATEMENT.
IT SHOULD BE AN ACTIVE RESPONSE TO WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES.
WE SHOULD PRAISE GOD, WE SHOULD WORSHIP, WE SHOULD SHARE OUR TESTIMONIES OF DELIVERANCE WITH OTHERS.
A DECLARATION OF VICTORY IS A MANIFESTATION OF HOPE.
IN THE MIDST OF HIS TRIALS, DAVID'S DECLARATION OF VICTORY SERVED AS A MANIFESTATION OF HOPE, NOT ONLY FOR HIM BUT ALSO FOR THOSE AROUND HIM.
IT WAS A REMINDER THAT GOD WAS IN CONTROL, THAT HE WAS FIGHTING FOR THEM, AND THAT VICTORY WAS ASSURED.
THIS IS A MANIFESTATION OF HOPE THAT WE CAN ALSO HOLD UP IN OUR OWN LIVES.
WHEN WE DECLARE VICTORY, WE ARE SAYING, "NO MATTER WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH, I KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL AND THAT HE WILL DELIVER ME."
MY BROTHERS AND SISTER WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS DECLARATION OF VICTORY IS THAT IT IS A STATEMENT OF FAITH.
DAVID DIDN'T WAIT UNTIL THE BATTLE WAS OVER TO DECLARE VICTORY.
HE DIDN'T WAIT UNTIL HE COULD SEE THAT THE ENEMY WAS DEFEATED BEFORE HE STARTED PRAISING GOD.
INSTEAD, HE DECLARED VICTORY IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE.
WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE BEFORE WE START PRAISING GOD.
WE CAN DECLARE VICTORY RIGHT NOW, IN THE MIDST OF OUR TRIALS, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT GOD IS WITH US AND HE IS FIGHTING FOR US.
WHEN WE CHOOSE TO TURN OUR PROBLEMS INTO PRAISE, GOD TURNS OUR BATTLES INTO BLESSINGS
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS…..DOESN’T IT FILL YOUR HEART WITH JOY…. TO THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH OUR GOD LOVES US?
THAT HE WOULD BE OUR ROCK, OUR FORTRESS, OUR DELIVERER.
THAT HE WOULD SAVE US, PROTECT US, AND GIVE US VICTORY.
THAT'S THE KIND OF GOD WE SERVE.
NO MATTER WHAT WE FACE, WE CAN TURN TO GOD, OUR ROCK AND OUR FORTRESS.
WE CAN CALL ON HIM, OUR DELIVERER AND SAVIOR.
IN THIS DIVIDED NATION, IN THIS TIRED WORLD, WE STILL PRAISE. WHY? BECAUSE GOD IS WORTHY.
WE PRAISE WHEN WE DON'T SEE THE WAY.
WE PRAISE WHEN DELIVERANCE FEELS DELAYED.
WE PRAISE BECAUSE OUR PRAISE IS NOT A PERFORMANCE—IT’S A WEAPON. A SONG. A SURVIVAL TACTIC. A TESTIMONY.
AND IF ANYBODY’S WONDERING WHAT WE DO WHEN THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD PRESSES IN……..
STILL I PRAISE.
STILL I PRAISE — WHEN THE RENT IS DUE AND THE LIGHTS ARE OFF.
STILL I PRAISE — WHEN JUSTICE SEEMS SLOW AND THE NIGHTS FEEL LONG.
STILL I PRAISE — WHEN THE DOCTOR'S REPORT IS HEAVY AND THE TEARS WON’T STOP.
STILL I PRAISE — WHEN THE JOB DIDN’T CALL BACK, BUT GOD KEPT ME ANYWAY.
STILL I PRAISE — BECAUSE HE’S STILL GOD, STILL GOOD, AND STILL WORTHY.
LET THE CHURCH SHOUT: STILL I PRAISE!
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ALTAR PRAYER
ALTAR PRAYER
HEAVENLY FATHER,
WE COME TO THIS ALTAR WITH HEARTS FULL OF THANKSGIVING AND LIVES MARKED BY YOUR MERCY. FOR EVERY SOUL HERE TODAY THAT’S BEEN WALKING THROUGH A STORM, REMIND THEM THAT YOU ARE STILL THE DELIVERER, STILL THE ROCK, STILL THE FORTRESS. WE DON’T ALWAYS SEE THE WAY, BUT WE TRUST YOU WITH EVERY STEP.
LIFT UP THE BOWED HEADS, STRENGTHEN THE WEARY HANDS, AND RENEW THE PRAISE IN OUR MOUTHS. LET EVERY CHAIN BREAK IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR PRAISE. LET EVERY LIE OF THE ENEMY FALL TO THE GROUND.
WE BELIEVE DELIVERANCE IS NOT COMING—IT’S ALREADY BEGUN. IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WE SAY, STILL I PRAISE.
AMEN.
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION
AND NOW UNTO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, AND PRESENT YOU FAULTLESS BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF HIS GLORY WITH EXCEEDING JOY, TO THE ONLY WISE GOD OUR SAVIOR, BE GLORY AND MAJESTY, DOMINION AND POWER, NOW AND FOREVERMORE, LET ALL GOD’S PEOPLE SAY: AMEN. AND STILL I PRAISE!
